The cultural vision of the city involves promoting Izmir as a city of arts, design and innovation, supporting ecological lifestyle, alternative production, distribution and organization models. Another aspect of this vision involves developing trans-national relations by transforming the city into an effective node within the network of major Mediterranean cities, whilst celebrating diversity. Governmental practices that adopt participatory processes and raising the quality of life are the underlying principles of the city of Izmir.
Izmir Metropolitan Municipality has developed a cultural framework that entailed Izmir’s participation as a “Pilot City” at the European scale in the “Agenda 21 for Culture” program of the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), on the basis of a decision taken by the Izmir Metropolitan Municipal Council in 2015. With UCLG’s invitation, Izmir has launched the “Leading City” programme in 2020.